.243 Ammo

RDF · March 26, 2000, 09:24 AM

I have a remington 700 ADL in .243 and
9 1/8" rifle twist. what,s a good round for hunting and varmiting. Right now i'm using factoy loads trying to see what shoots good.
Have used 55gr,70gr,80gr,and 100gr but not real happy with the groups. Any certain ammo i should try?

[This message has been edited by RDF (edited March 27, 2000).]

Hakwe · March 27, 2000, 08:44 AM

I am using .243 Winchester rounds in a Tikka and have had good results with the following hand loaded round.

Projectile : Hornady 75 Grain V-Max
Powder : ADI AR-2206
Charge Weight: 34.1 Grains
Overall Lenght : 76mm plus or minus .1mm

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Art Eatman · March 27, 2000, 11:45 AM

I have long used the Sierra 85-grain HPBT for all-around shooting in my .243. I won't use it for larger deer; just in the 90 to 125-pound (field-dressed) central Texas whitetail range...

I have had very good groups from the Federal ammo that uses this bullet.

My favorite handloads are the 85 with 37.5 grains of 3031 (start at 36.0 grains and work up.) and the 60-grain Hornady with 40.0 grains of 3031 (Start at 38.0...). My groups run 3/8" to 1/2", generally.

You might check the bedding on your rifle. My opinion is that the barrel should not touch the wood of the fore-end of the stock. After I free-float a barrel by removing wood from the channel of the fore-end, I then shim with wax paper out at the tip. A 1/2" strip, folded back and forth until the thickness requires about a five-pound pull to put it in place, works well. Trim with a razor. Shoot several quick shots to heat the wax so it will stick...

Good luck, Art

k in AR · March 29, 2000, 08:52 AM

I agree with the Sierra 85gr GameKing HPBT. I have had excellent results with them. I have found that this bullet works very good with several powders, my favorite is IMR 4350.

I first went to this bullet for my 243 a few years back when my wife needed some ammo & I picked up a box of Federal Permium with this Sierra bullet (they were out of the 100gr SPBT which I had been using). I couldn't believe how accurate her Weatherby was with this "little" factory load. So I bought a box of the 85gr HPBT Sierra bullets & haven't looked back.

Enjoy, k

March 26, 2000, 09:24 AM	#1
RDF Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 1999 Location: West Liberty, Ky Posts: 133	I have a remington 700 ADL in .243 and 9 1/8" rifle twist. what,s a good round for hunting and varmiting. Right now i'm using factoy loads trying to see what shoots good. Have used 55gr,70gr,80gr,and 100gr but not real happy with the groups. Any certain ammo i should try? [This message has been edited by RDF (edited March 27, 2000).]

March 27, 2000, 08:44 AM	#2
Hakwe Junior Member Join Date: September 26, 1999 Posts: 3	I am using .243 Winchester rounds in a Tikka and have had good results with the following hand loaded round. Projectile : Hornady 75 Grain V-Max Powder : ADI AR-2206 Charge Weight: 34.1 Grains Overall Lenght : 76mm plus or minus .1mm ------------------

March 27, 2000, 11:45 AM	#3
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	I have long used the Sierra 85-grain HPBT for all-around shooting in my .243. I won't use it for larger deer; just in the 90 to 125-pound (field-dressed) central Texas whitetail range... I have had very good groups from the Federal ammo that uses this bullet. My favorite handloads are the 85 with 37.5 grains of 3031 (start at 36.0 grains and work up.) and the 60-grain Hornady with 40.0 grains of 3031 (Start at 38.0...). My groups run 3/8" to 1/2", generally. You might check the bedding on your rifle. My opinion is that the barrel should not touch the wood of the fore-end of the stock. After I free-float a barrel by removing wood from the channel of the fore-end, I then shim with wax paper out at the tip. A 1/2" strip, folded back and forth until the thickness requires about a five-pound pull to put it in place, works well. Trim with a razor. Shoot several quick shots to heat the wax so it will stick... Good luck, Art

March 29, 2000, 08:52 AM	#4
k in AR Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 1999 Location: Arkansas USA Posts: 436	I agree with the Sierra 85gr GameKing HPBT. I have had excellent results with them. I have found that this bullet works very good with several powders, my favorite is IMR 4350. I first went to this bullet for my 243 a few years back when my wife needed some ammo & I picked up a box of Federal Permium with this Sierra bullet (they were out of the 100gr SPBT which I had been using). I couldn't believe how accurate her Weatherby was with this "little" factory load. So I bought a box of the 85gr HPBT Sierra bullets & haven't looked back. Enjoy, k